FIRST FLIGHT: QantasLink FIRST Airbus A220-300 departs Montreal (YMX/CYMX)

A huge congrats to Airbus and Qantas on the first of many A220’s! On November 30th 2023 after much anticipation, the FIRST QantasLink Airbus A220-300 takes off for the very first time! Qantas; the flag carrier of Australia ordered 29 A220-300’s for QantasLink; the regional brand of the airline. Their A220 seats 137 in a 2 class configuration; 10 in business and 127 in economy. These A220’s will be replacing the airline’s aging Boeing 717 fleet; in which the airline still operates 13 of them. The A220 is part of Qantas’s domestic fleet renewal plan, which will allow the airline to fly these aircraft between major Australian cities while burning less fuel (compared to the 717). This A220 will eventually be re-registered to VH-4XA, and is named “Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa“, featuring the artwork of senior Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker. It took 2 weeks for the livery to be completed, with 100 painters and over 20,000 special dots - needless to say but this is a very detailed livery! Qantas becomes the first Oceanic carrier to operate the A220 (Air Vanuatu ordered the aircraft however they were never delivered). This A220 becomes the 6th aircraft to join Qantas’s flying art series with other famous examples painted on their 737, 787 and 747. After much anticipation, the aircraft departed Mirabel, Quebec with spectators watching from both on the ground and in a R-44 helicopter. After showing off the aircraft’s impressive capabilities, the A220 did a long 2 hour test flight north of the airport. ____ Facebook Page: Twitter: (@Mark__Brandon) Flickr: (Mark Brandon) Instagram: Email: MarkBrandonyt@ ____ ATC Included! Airport: Montreal’s Mirabel Intl airport - YMX / CYMX Airline: Airbus Canada (QantasLink) Aircraft: Airbus A220-300 (BCS3) Flight: ABK353 Callsign: Airbus Cannuck 353 Registration: C-FPGP (VH-X4A) Runways used: 24 Destination: Montreal - YMX This is not your video, please do not use, download or re-publish without my permission or consent. © CYUL Plane Spotter / © Mark Brandon All rights reserved Mark Brandon 2023